Watersports

Splish, Splash . . . Shake, Paddle & Roll

This is mountain country so about the only flat thing around here are our lakes and reservoirs. Over 13,000 acres of fresh water lakes are home to warm water fish species including largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, perch, bluegill, tiger muskie and walleye. They’re also home to such warm water species as boats, personal watercraft, water skiers, flat water kayakers and wakeboarders. When these waters freeze over, they’re prime destinations for ice fishing.

Lakes and Reservoirs for Fishing and Watersports

Pineview Reservoir Pineview Reservoir is the busiest reservoir for its size in the state of Utah. You can leave your hotel and be at the water’s edge within one-half hour. The scenery around Pineview is worth the visit. Seeing the mountains from the surface of the water is an experience to remember. There are 3 public beaches that surround Pineview Reservoir: Port Marina, Anderson Cove, and Bluffs Marina also known as Cemetery Point, all developed sites are open from 8:00 am - 10:00 pm..

Port Ramp Marina Fee $15.00. Located on the west shoreline of the reservoir, this is the most used launching facility. The road into the marina has a large Forest Service sign identifying the site immediately across Highway 158. The facility has a concrete ramp to launch boats and a large paved parking lot. It also has a gravel lot used as overflow parking. Port Ramp has a convenience dock for public use. A sewage dump station is located next to the two toilet buildings in the paved parking lot. There is a Concessionaire manager who lives on site if you need information or assistance.

Anderson Cove Day Use Fee $15.00. Located on the south shoreline of the reservoir, Anderson Cove provides the only overnight camping at Pineview. This recreation complex includes reservable individual and group campsites, a day-use beach, a public use boat ramp and a convenience dock.

Bluffs Marina Fee $18.00. Bluffs Marina, also known as Cemetery Point, is located near the town of Huntsville. To access the facility, follow Highway 39 to the eastern side of Huntsville. Follow the signs to the swim beach. Bluffs is at the end of the road through Huntsville. The marina is the first entryway with a fee station. This marina is fairly simple with a small paved parking area and a larger gravel parking lot. The marina is the first entryway to the left after the fee station. No trailers are allowed beyond this point because parking is tight in the beach area. This marina is fairly simple with a small paved parking area, a larger gravel parking lot, and a small set of convenient docks.

Willard Bay Boat, swim, waterski and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay. Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky. During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles. Both the North and South Marinas offer all the amenities for a weekend at the Bay.

Causey Reservoir All the access points at Causey are free of charge. Located about 26 miles east of Ogden off Highway 39, Causey is one of the most scenic and beautiful reservoirs in Utah. Nestled in steep valley canyons with sheer vertical walls and heavily forested areas, most of the area has the appearance of remote wilderness. Boats must be carried to the water at Causey, and once afloat you discover ample opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Fish types include multiple varieties of trout, kokanee salmon and splake.

Paddlesports in Ogden

Ogden’s abundant whitewater means that even when most stream flows around the west taper off, Ogden still has options to dip your paddle.

Ogden River Put-In: Wind your way up Ogden Canyon (12th Street) about a mile until the large pull-off on the north side opposite the Smokey the Bear sign.

Poison Ivy Class IV A sprinkling of poison ivy on the banks adds to the character of this rapid. Run as far left as possible but if you get pushed off-line you can save yourself from a beating by hugging the cement wall over the drop and riding a small ledge past the hole. At low water the hole has a tongue center-left.

The Waterfall Class III+ The waterfall drop has a beautiful lead-in with a 200 foot waterfall filtering down the river right cliff wall directly into the river. It can be very pushy, with ledge holes on river left at the top and a large pourover boulder at the bottom right. At the very bottom of the rapid there is a fun corkscrewing tongue. Run centerleft. The water calms and takes a sharp left turn under the road for a 1/4 mile of easier class II+ down to the narrows.

The Narrows Class III+ In the narrows, the river is constricted between the roadway and a cliff wall on river left. A couple of large boulders in the middle of the run force you to choose between the narrow left slot and the wider right side with a large ledge drop. Both lines hang up wood, so scout this area on the way up.

The Diversion Class III Below the narrows, the river splits around an island at high water. The right fork has a fun diversion dam drop. Just before the take-out, the river turns sharply to the right and tumbles down some rocky class II+. Take-Out: Rainbow Gardens, at the mouth of Ogden Canyon.

Ogden Kayak Rodeo Park The Ogden Kayak Park offers an urban park-n-play experience just outside of down- town Ogden. The park offers 150 cfs up to 1000 cfs of good fun. Most boaters play at the first hole then float through the bottom two when it is time to get out. A bike trail on river left and a bridge just upstream of the first hole provides a good vantage point for onlookers. Fifty yards upstream of the park is a low-head dam or wier that can provide a good pop up if one of the gates is open. During late summer and low water years the park becomes a local hangout and swimming hole. Medium flows make it a great place for beginning and intermediate boaters. High water delivers three fairly intimidating wide holes.

Riverdale Wave Riverdale Wave is the destination of choice by the playboating crowd and is usually best during spring runoff. On sunny spring Saturdays the parking area can see a dozen or more rack-sporting vehicles lined up the street. Hit the wave while it’s up. Beginners without a good roll should avoid the Wave during very high flows. However, during medium and low flows, the Wave provides a great introductory wave experience.The slides coming into the Wave are exhilarating for beginners. For intrepid beginners with a guide, the slides make an exciting put-in for the mellow run down to the Ogden Kayak Park.